How to Estimate a Construction Schedule

Whether you are constructing a house extension or building a large commercial unit, the duration of the project needs to be accurately estimated in order to correctly assess such items as resources and budget. Estimating a construction schedule is not limited to just the time when building is ongoing; there are tasks to be carried out both before and after the physical construction of the project to consider. A good schedule also establishes the relationship between task and time, and gives various parties involved responsibility over different functions.

Things You'll Need

Diary

Daily calendar of the anticipated project duration

Material lead-in time schedules

Architectural and engineering designs

Buyer and vendor schedules

Investigation reports and surveys

Creating an Accurate Construction Schedule

A construction schedule will only be fully accurate with the input of all parties involved in the project. According to ConstructionSchedule.net, "Communication remains vital once construction begins. Everyone who is a part of the project team...needs to be part of the communication process." Meet, become acquainted, and collectively begin to collate information required for a schedule.

Make a list of all construction-based tasks involved in the project, beginning from demolition and groundworks, through to fitting the light bulbs. Estimate the time it will take to complete these individual tasks from start to finish, taking into account lead-in times for materials.

List all administrative tasks, such as choosing materials, producing drawings, preparing a budget and awarding contracts. Identify a duration for each of these tasks.

Establish an order for each of these activities. Some may not be able to begin until the previous task has completed: for example, painting cannot begin until the walls are finished. Some tasks, however, can run alongside each other. "Construction Scheduling 101", by PinnacleOne, states that "in order to properly track work progress, the schedule needs separate activities for each trade contractor".

Assign durations to each of these activities, bearing in mind considerations such as material lead-in times. This will require input from contractors and suppliers, and begin to give a firm indication as to the total construction schedule.

The schedule can be broken down into sections as the project continues, in order to be relevant to works being carried out at that time. "Construction Scheduling 101", by PinnacleOne, states that "field staff often develop short-term, hand-drawn schedules to coordinate day to day activities among subcontractors".

References

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